I have been fascinated with various forms of hoopdance over the years, both modern and traditional. This editorial illustration was done as a companion to an article on the modern revival of various forms of hoopdance as practiced by some indigenous communities of North America. In these contexts, the hoop represents the cyclical nature of life and death, and the interconnectedness of all life. The hoopdancer is a dynamic storyteller of gestures and forms that represent cultural archetypes and symbolic concepts, as drawn from the rich storytelling traditions of indigenous peoples that often connect the rhythms of everyday life with the greater web of creation. The background pattern is inspired by a traditional Blackfoot symbol, while the constellated animal forms are based on animal characters from the Ojibwe people. The idea is that the storyteller is channeling teachings that are then transmitted to their communities and to future generations — lending meaning to the notion of “hoop medicine”.
There is healing power in these dances, when practiced within ceremonies and communities (via Performing Indigeneity):
The restorative aspect of hoop dancing has indeed created a healthy vehicle to pass down Indigenous culture and traditions to new generations of Indigenous youth; a generation-to-generation transmission that has the power to heal colonial and historic traumas, as well as renew Indigenous connections to land and community.